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(Model.)

0. A. THAYER.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 298,430. Patented May 13. 1.884.

N. PETERS, Pholo-Lilllognphar. wmg nnnnnn c STATES EINITE ORLANDO A. THAYER, or mars, MAINE.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,430, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filed July 7, 1883. (Model) .To all whmn it away concern Be it known that I, ORLANDO A. THAYER, of Paris, in the county of Oxford and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table with my invention thereon. Fig. 2 is an edge View of the two slides extended and the spring over the foot of one of them. Fig. 3 is a top view of a portion of a slide and of the spring. Fig. 4 shows a top plan, including the springs Z. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the same.

Same letters show like parts.

My invention relates to folding tables, or tables in which the legs fold up under the top.

My invention consists in the combination of folding leg or legs of a table with certain slotted arms, springs, and catches, as hereinafter set forth.

a shows a table-top.

b shows one of two pairs of legsone pair at each end of the table-and connected by a piece of wood or bar extending from one to.

the other ofeach pair of legs in the common way.

On the under side of the table-top a, at the center, is set a pivot 0r pivot-bolt, c.

d d are two arms of any proper material, which have eyes, through which passes the pivot-bolt c. The arms (Z (Z can swing on the pivot-bolt 0.

Pivoted-at e, on the inside of the piece of wood or bar extending from one to the other leg of the table on the same end, is another arm, f. Both of the arms (I and f have slots in them for a certain distance. This is indicated in the detail and plan of the arm f in Fig. 3. Each arm has a stud rigidly connected with it, which stud runs in the slide of the other arm, and is provided with a head to keep it in place and hold the two arms flat against each other.

' of the other.

9 is the stud connected with the arm f, and. h is the one connected with the arm d.

The two pairs of legs are hinged or pivoted to the under side of the table-top, as seen at i, or in any well-known way, so as to fold up under the table. lVhen the legs are folded up under the table-top, as seen inone part of Fig. 1, the two arms f and d lie one upon the other, as illustrated. lVhen the legs are drawn down so as to support the table, as seen inthe other part of Fig. 1, the arms f and (1 lie one upon the other only for a short distance-that is, the arm f has slid down over and from the arm (I. They are kept together by the two studs h and g. Both arms being slotted, and each having a stud connected with it and fitting into the slot of the other as the legs of the table are closed up or dropped down, the stud of one arm slides or travels in the slot The stud g confines to the arm (I a spring, 9'; or the spring may be held by a separate bolt, if so placed as to require it. The spring has an opening of any convenient kind, 7c. WVhen the legs are dropped down and the two arms extended, so as to bring the legs into a vertical position, the opening 70 snaps over the foot a of the bolt h, or any other projection similarly placed, and holds the arms rigidly extended by locking in this manner. The spring can be lifted off from the foot of the bolt and the legs folded up under the table-top, when desired. The spring can be placed on the top, bottom, or side of one of the bars, as may be desired. When the legs are to be folded up, the spring is to be lifted off from the stud over which the opening 70 has passed. a

Z shows two springs, fastened to the under side of the table top. They have the inclined surfaces or edges m. These edges strike against the ends of the slots in the arms f and d, and the shoulders a spring over the ends, when the pairs of table-legs are folded down flat. By these means the table-legs are held up close to the under side of the table-top, and are prevented from falling or dropping down until required for use. When the legs are thus folded up, the tables can be easily packed into small compass for transportation.

Then, by lifting or pulling gently on the legs, and inclined faces, the spring j, having open- [0 the springs will release them, so that they can ing is, and bolts 5/ and h, as herein set forth. be pulled to the vertical position. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as What I claim as my invention, and desire to my own I affix my signature in presence of 5 secure by Letters Patent of the United States, two Witnesses.

is ORLANDO A. THAYER.

In combination with a pair of table-legs, b, Witnesses: connected as set forth, the slotted armsf (1,, WILLIAM HENRY CLIFFORD, pivoted at e and c, the springs Z, with heads J OHN I. KERRIGAN. 

